Method and apparatus for flocking fabric



Marh I5, 1949, T.-LTNDQUI5T 2,464,453

IETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR- F'LOCKING FABRIC Filed May 23, 1946f X VENTOE,

Patented Mar. 15, 1949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLOCKING FABRIC Theodore Lindquist, Swansea, Mass., assignor to United Merchants & Manufacturers, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application May 23, 1946, Serial No. 671,682

5 Claims. 117-17) is arranged in greater density than in adjacent.

areas. The variation in density of the applied flock tends to produce a two-tone effect even though the flock is of but a single color; but, in addition, the flock is applied in the designated areas at right angles to the fabric and at other than right angles to the fabric in the said adjacent areas, the latter angles having such a degree of uniformity or progressive change that the fabric presents a sheen appearance.

As will presently be apparent, the invention may be applied to produce a wide variety of ornamental effects; and, while by no means limited thereto, the methods and apparatus to be described are preferred because no particular skill is required of the operator to produce the desired effect or to duplicate it as often as required.

In the accompanying drawings, which are quite diagrammatic, Fig. 1 illustrates a flock coating mechanism adapted to the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification; Fig. 4 is a section on-the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a detailof a further modification.

In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, a supply roll of fabric is indicated at l, the fabric 2 from this roll passing over roll 3 and beneath any suitable adhesive applicator 4 and doctor blade 5. Leaving roll 3, and with one surface now adhesive-coated, the fabric passes around a guide roller 6 to the electro-static flocking unit I, which likewise may be of any preferred construction. As will be understood, the diagrammatic showing of the unit is intended to illustrate a common type utilizing plate-form electrodes which serve to create a substantially uniform electro-static field. Beyond the unit the fabric is indicated as being taken up on a roll 8,

Adjacent the entrance and exit ends of the flocking unit are arranged identical pattern jigs 9 and Ill, each mounted transversely of the fabric and having its lower edge, which engages the fabric, shaped to distort the otherwise flat fabric pattern shown for purposes of illustration, the lower or guide edge of each jig has a series of spaced projections II and intervening notches l2. In the result, the fabric passes through the unit more or less in the wave form illustrated in F18. 2. The effect of thus distorting the fabric is two fold. Along the ridge areas the flock adheres in greater density than it does in the more remote valley areas; also, since the flock all assumes a substantially vertical position during the operation of the unit, it will actually be adhered to the under or adhesive-coated side of the fabric at different angles to the fabric surface, due to the undulating character of such surface. For instance, immediately below the center of the first or left-hand projection ll of the flock will be adhered in considerable density (due to the proximity of the fabric to the lower electrode) and also at right angles to the fabric surface; whereas on each side or slope of the projection II the density will decrease somewhat and the angle of the flock will vary progressively, i. e. relative to the fabric surface. The same efiect is repeated, of course, throughout the width of the fabric or in whatever pattern is desired. When the fabric is restored to its normal flat form, the adhered flock particles thus stand out at various angles to the backing surface and even though only a single color flock is employed, the resulting finish is highly decorative. The areas of maximum flock density appear as stripes of a somewhat deeper hue than the areas adjacent them; and, due to the angular set of the flock on each side of these deeper hued stripes, the fabric as a whole presents a sheen appearance, varying with the angle from which it is viewed.

As illustrated in the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 3, it is not essential that the fabric be maintained in its wave form throughout its entire passage through the flocking unit.

In this form, the same general elements are indicated and, being designated 'by corresponding primed characters, need not be described. The ararngement difiers in that only one pattern jig 9' is employed, ararnged adjacent the entrance to the flocking unit, and it is in the form of a roller, which can be driven or allowed to rotate with the movement of the fabric. As shown, the roller surface is interrupted by continuous ring-like projections H and intervening grooves or valleys l2, which serve, as before, to distort the fabric transversely into a series of waves or undulations. At the exit or discharge end of the unit I the fabric is simply drawn past into a generally undulating or wave form. In the 68 the edge of the unit under tension or under an idler roller, as illustrated. If desired, one or more of the roller projections may be interrupted so as to provide spaced projections ",13'. As will be understood, the effect will be to interrupt the continuity of the dense, longitudinal stripes above described and to cause the densest areas to become islands wholly surrounded by less dense areas.

In Fig. is illustrated a roller l4 appropriate for producing another pattern variation. In this form, the roller projections I5 (which again may be continuous or not, as desired) are arranged on the bias, so as to produce a wavy rather than a straight stripe lengthwise of the fabric. It will thus be apparent that by varying the pattern jigs, a great many different design modifications may be produced, all resultingfrom the varying density and angularity of the applied flock.

In the light of the foregoing description, the following is claimed:

1. The method of flock coating fabric which includes the steps of advancing the length of fabric in a substantially uniform electro-static field while distorting the fabric widthwise into undulating form.

2. The method of flock coating fabric which includes the steps of continuously advancing a length of fabric in a substantially uniform stationary electro-static field while distorting the fabric widthwise into undulating form.

3. The method of flock coating fabric which includes the steps of continuously advancing a length of fabric in a substantially uniform stationary electro-static field while intermittently distorting the fabric widthwise into undulating form.

4. Flock coating apparatus comprising the combination with an electro-static flocking unit of the type adapted to create a uniform field, of means for guiding a length of fabric through the unit including a rotatable roller located to engage the fabric throughout its width adjacent the entrance to the field, said roller incorporating a plurality of protuberances, whereby the fabric enters the unit in widthwise undulating form.

5. Flock coating apparatus comprising the comprising the combination with an electrostatic flocking unit of the type adapted to create a uniform field, of a fabric guide mounted transversely of the fabric adjacent the unit and having a fabric engaging surface shaped to distort a portion of the fabric within the field widthwise into undulating form.

THEODORE LINDQUIST.

- REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,152,077 Meston Mar. 28, 1939 2,217,126 Meston Oct. 8, 1940 

